Drapery hook dispensing and inserting apparatus



Feb. 4, 1958 M. A. SALTZ 2,321,713

DRAPERY HOOK DISPENSING AND INSERTING APPARATUS A 5 Sheets-sheaf. 1

Filed Nov. 22, 1955 I Maze/:19. 5; r2

INVENTOR.

BY- A izrzelvzv.

Feb. 4, 1958 M A. SALTZ 2,821,713

DRAPERY HOOK DISPENSING INSERTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 22, 1955 5Sheets-Sheet 2 flrralen/az Feb.4, 1958 i M. A. sALTz 2,821,713

DRAPERY Hook DiSPENSING AND INSERTING APPARATUS Y flFiledNov. 22-, 1955s Sheets-Sheet a Maae/sfl. 5/71, 72,

M... INVENTOR.

.+ Jim. 7 0

United States Pate DRAPERY HOOK DISPENSING AND INSERTING APPARATUSMorris A. Saltz, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 22, 1955, Serial No. 548,502

21 Claims. (Cl. 1-1) The present invention relates to apparatus forinserting hooks in drapes, curtains, or similar flexible articles, thatare to be hung by the hooks from a suitable support.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forinserting drapery hooks into drapes, and like articles, in an effectiveand simple manner, instead of by hand.

Another object of the invention-is to provide an apparatus forautomatically feeding drapery hooks froma suitable supply, and insertingsuch hooks in drapery at any desired locations and in a proper manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for forcingthe point of a drapery hook into the drapery material, feeding the hookalong the drapery, and then forcing the point of the hook back into thedrapery material, to insure secure attachment of the hook to the drape.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forinserting a drapery hook into the drape at a seam thereof, withassurance that the hook will be forced into the material of the drapeitself and not be merely disposed in the seam where it could possiblyeffect an eventual tearing of the line of stitching at the seam.

Yet another object of. the invention is to provide an apparatus forinserting drapery hooks into drapes at desired points thereof, in whichthe apparatus is quickly adjustable to accommodate drapes of differentthickness of material and of pleated portions.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus fordispensing and inserting hooks into drapes and the like, and embodyingan inexpensive container for a stack of hooks to retain the hooks inappropriate position and to insure their automatic sequential feedinginto the apparatus for insertion into the drape.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable ofinserting drapery hooks in fabric in a rapid and economical manner.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an isometric projection of a portion of a box containing asupply of drapery books, with the end of the box in open position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the apparatus,taken along the line 4--4 on Fig. 5, showing the pin drive andinsertingplate in its maximum forward position;

2,821 ,7 l 3 Patented Feb. 4-, was

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatice top plan view of a portion of theapparatus showing the drive plate alone at its maximum rearward positionfor receiving a drapery hook;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, disclosing the position of the driveplate when the pin is on the verge of being inserted into the drape;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 6, disclosing the apparatus near theend of its forward position during the insertion of the hook in a drape;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken along the line 9-9 on Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view disclosing the insertion of a draperyhook at a seam of a drape;

Fig. 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 on Fig. 10.

' The apparatus disclosed in the drawings is designed to receive a.drapery hook from a suitable supply, insert the point of the draperyhook pin portion into the fabric of a drape, or the like, then feed thepin along the drape,

and when it has almost been disposed along the drape to its fullestextent, cause the point of the pin to move slightly in an outwarddirection to again pierce the fabric of the drape.

As specifically shown, each drapery hook that is to be dispensed by themachine and inserted in the drape includes the pin portion 11terminating in a forward point 12, the other end of the pin portion 11merging into a curved web 13 which, in turn, merges into an inner arm 14extending generally parallel to the pin portion 11. The outer portion 15of the inner arm is bent outwardly at an angle, being inclined in aforward direction away from the pin portion. This bent arm portion 15,in turn, merges into a rearwardly and outwardly bent portion 16 of anouter arm 17, the rearwardly projecting portion of which is generallyparallel to the inner arm 14 of the book itself. In effect, the twoinclined inner and outer arm portions 15, 16 form a general V-shape, inorder that the drapery hook may be suspended from and carried by asuitable hanger (not shown), in a known manner.

The drapery hook ll is adapted to be received Within a slotted andrecessed portion of a drive plate 18, which is slidably mounted upon anupper supporting plate 19 of the frame of the apparatus, this uppersupporting plate being suitably secured to the vertical walls 20 of thehousing frame, which encloses the drive mechanism. A top plate 21 iscarried by the upper supporting plate 19 of the frame in spaced relationthereto, the distance between the two plates 19, 21 being slightlygreater than the thickness of the hook drive plate 18, so they willappropriately guide and confine the latter during its sliding movementtherebetween. The appropriate spacing between the top plate 21 and thesupporting plate 19 is provided by spacer rings 22 disposedtherebetween, the two plates being secured together by means of screws23 extending through the top plate 21 and threaded within suitable holesin the supporting plate 19.

The drive plate 18 is adapted to be shifted to a rearward position inalignment with a supply of hooks 10, which are carried above the topplate 21, preferably within a suitable container or box 24. The hooks 10are appropriately arranged in the box in the manner describedspecifically hereinbelow, being adapted to move singly from the lowerend of the box, through an opening 25 in the top plate, into the slottedrecess portion at the forward corner portion of the drive plate 18,which is designed to snugly accommodate a hook. Thus, the plate has arecess 26 in its front margin to receive the pin and inner arm portions11, 14 of the hook, the

- n ma recess being enlarged in an inward direction toaceornrnddate'the' curved web portion B of tlie hook. The plate isfurther out out to provide an inclined edge 27 conforming to theinclined portion 15 .of the inner arm, this edge '27terminatingataninclined slot which e erms ene a ly to he ine n t net thn li e P QI 1,6 fi h' n e aria fe the .h pk. ine gede o merging into an'inner 1510': portiqn 129 that is generally parallel to the 'front edg30 of the plate, and which designed to accommodate the vstraight.portion ,of vthe outer'ar'rri 17. In effect, the reeess'ahd slotportions 255, 28, 29' 'defiiie'a driving dog'oi' rug of plate having rwrd ta er sides 2.7, 3. adapted een t e a al d 'P r 'i n 1 f r the hbkn'erde te-efiet coupling'of the'h'ook jtjeni plate isf lie'reb'y the hose -be d yen i a f wa d re t e'n y' P t The driving plate 18 is disposedat the 'front portion of h t p p at 2.1 an gui ed al ne .a p det mipath' by a'cam slot device 133 formed'in the supporting plate 19 of theframe." The plate 18 has a papiarjspag a Pi 5 e endin t ete r' h 'a adpted t be ceived iriitl re carn' slot '33. The pins have a diametersubstantially equal to the width of the slot, so that'the shape .of theslot 33 produces a corresponding movement h f x pl ll 5 a d .d th ddkilo l l fld t i9 The cam slof'has a rearward portion clined in irearwardfldirection away from thefront of'ithe inae Wlien'the' plate is"shifted in' a rearwarddi r.ection, pins 3ft, 35 will ride rearwardly inthe slot A the rear pin 34 engages the rear slot -portion it will angle'theplate l1' to. the position disclosed in E1 wherein the pin receivingportion '26, 28'bf the plate is disposed underthe ope'ning'25 and thesupply of pins 10: some part'of the plate 18 at all times lies under theo en; inggs'in the plate 21 of the apparatus, and it is only whenthe'slot and recess portion 26, 28 of'the plate is disposed under theopening that a hook 10 can drop the'rein'to fro'r'n the vertical stackor supply of hooks in the container: '24." Thedrive plate 18 issubstantially the samethi'ckne'ss as a hook 10, in order that the hookcan slide along and between'the top plate 21 and the supporting plate 19of the machine.

'The rearwardly curved cam slot portion 36 merges into a substantiallystraight lot portion 37 that is generally the when parallel'to' thefronf'cdge'Zlg of the .top plate. As the pin drive plate 18 is moved ina forward direction from the position shown in Fig. 6, it will carry thepin 11 in a forward direction, the point 12 of the pin being disposed ata substantial angle to the front edge 21d of the machine and to anydrape or othenrnat l disposed in the plane of the pin (see'plate p'os onin Fig. 7). As. the plate 18 moves in a forward direction, 'ifwillpierce the point 12 of the pin into the fabric, whereupon the forwardpin or follower'35 will ride 'along"th'e relatively straight o Po n 37,the rea pin of ol 'e 4' m ing f m the rear curved slot' portion36ftoward .and into the straight slot portion, in order to dispose thepin ll substantially parallel to the fabric the rnaterial, the P E? 13 eoccupying h b'ositi n ho n n Fig.- 5- When in this position, the if hasalmost completed its "forward motion, butfthe plate 18 and hook 10. are.still movable in a forward .direction'to a small extent. From itsstraight portion31, the slot, has a short,- inclined portion'38,slanting slightly, toward the, rear. of the ma, chine, so that acontinued forward motion of the plate then tends to shift the forward.or. slotted part of the plate in an upward direction, to cause. thepoint 12- of the pin, which is now disposed. within. the. fabric, toshift in an outward direction. and thus. pierce the fabric once again,which will preventthe, pin 11 from moving freely. within the fold of thedrape. This. final forward posititil 0f he late i lust ated in Fig. 4.when inthi-s p l itiml. th h pk- 0 is disposed in align nt with n nerges. -39; he-tee Plate. 2.1 of; the. apparatus, whjeh w l en l t he s obe i e apwa dl by th reater but ofthe drive plate ls aridithe apparatus.

In the apparatus specifically disclosed, the drive plate 18 is moved bya power device. Thus, an electric motor and a gear reducer unit 40 iscarried by a supporting plate 41 disposed within the frame of theapparatus and suspended from the top supporting plate 19 of the frame bya plu al t 9 be t 4. s i e emit rp nt ne p ate 41 being spaced theappropriate distance'below the frame supporting plate 19 by spacersleeves 43 encompassing the bolts and extending :benweenthe plates. Thevertical drive shaft A- of the vdrive unit has prank 515 .affixedthereto to which'a crankpin 46 is secured. This crankpin'has one end ofa connecting rod orr1ink147 pivotally secured thereto, the other end ofthe connecting rod being pivotally mounted on one of the pins, such asthe forward pin or fo ower atteehe to the dr e pl te- AS' he ri e shaf 4r ated b he d i ni it will au e esip eeat en e h d i e p a h u the es sle th F ank ee neetins e 47 a t e fo ward follower "pin Q35, the'throwof the crank 45 being such as to move the plate between its full forwardposition disclosed in'Fig. 4, and its full rearward position disclosedin Fig. p,

e e eireait the m ter n t 40 is co r by'eliitifil'e 19 sad Start s i hca ri n ny eenrefiient mea r ae' z he stri e nit s p r i plate Trhie es'h th y have a s a n but 9 P ot 'e h suita e ha e er pen n n he frontwall of-the frame or h9u il1 21], and it also has a stop button 50 pr tens r m t tea wee er utto s actuated by'a leaf arm 51 secured to theswitch itself and overlying thebutton 5 0, and extending into the pathof travel of the crank 45. The crank has a projecting portion 52 da eden a the e en e he 51, so as to actuate the stop button 50 and stop theapparatus when the drive plate L8 has shifted the pin point 12 of a hookup to the edge 21:; of the machine, where the point is onthe verge ofbeing forced into the drapery fabric. Thecrank 45 has a second stopbutton operator 53'suitab'ly secured thereto, which is adapted to engagethe spring arm SI to stop the drive unit 40 and the motion of thodriveplate 18 when the pin portion 11 of the hook has been'fully'disposed inthe drapery material, with its point 12 projected in the outwarddirection to pierce the material; such as disclosed in fig. 4. Ofcourse, between these-two stopping positions, the starting button 49 isactuated by the' 'oprator to institute operation of the apparatus onceagain.

"The portion of the drape into which a hook is to be inserted is placedupon a platform or vertically movable supporting plate 54'disposedadjacent the front end of the apparatus, aindbelow theplane'of its topplate 21. This supporting plate 54 has a-pair of generally verticalguide rOdsSS-secured'thereto and depending therefrom, these gujde rodsbeing slidable through the spaced upper and lower. flanges 56, '57 'of abracket 58 suitably secured to the front wall of the frame and housing26. The supporting plate 54 isurged toward its uppermost position byhelical compression springs 59 disposed around the guide rods. thelower-ends of'the springs engaging the lower flange 51 of the braoketandthe upper ends of' the springs engaging spring seats or collars 60-suitably secured to the. guide rods. 55- below. the upper bracket flange56. It will be noted that the suporting plate 54' can be depressedagainst thefiforce of' the springs 59, and that the relieving of thedepressing force will cause the spring to elevate the supportingplateto'its uppermost position, as determined by. engagement of: thespringseats 60 with the upper. bracketfiange. 56; i

A gauge 61 is slidably mounted. on. the platform orsupporting; plate.534-, in; order. that hooks may be inserted in various types and sizesof drapes-at a predetermined point fromdheinupperL edges. This-gaugeincludes. a generally horizontal portion 62 having a longitudinalslot 63therein 8 through which a plurality of screws 64 extends that arethreaded into the supporting plate 54. The gauge terminates in anupwardly directed stop flange 65, against which the upper end of a drapecan bear. By loosening the screws 64, the gauge 61 can be shifted alongthe supporting plate 54 to the desired position, depending upon thedistance the hooks are to be inserted in the drape from its top edge.When the gauge 61 has been adjusted to the proper position, the screws64 are retightened, to hold the gauge in such position.

The apparatus has a guide or indicator 66 (Fig. 9) to determine how farthe operator must depress the supporting plate 54 to insure theinsertion of a hook at a drapery seam, or at any other desired location.This guide or indicator includes a leaf spring arm 67 attached to thefront wall of the frame and housing, this arm extending above the planeof movement of the drive plate 18 and terminating in an inwardlydirected finger 68 which is disposed just above such a drive plate. Thisinwardly directed finger is readily visible to the operator, who willplace a portion of a drape on the supporting plate 54, and then exert adownward force on the drape until the supporting plate depresses to thepoint at which the seam of the drape, at which the hook is to beinserted, is in alignment with the finger 68. The operator then knowsthat during the operation of the machine the hook will be inserted inthe drape at the proper location.

As stated above, a stack of hooks is supported vertically in a suitablecontainer 24, such as a plastic, paper or metal box. The specific boxdisclosed in the drawings, and more particularly in Fig. 3, isrelatively inexpensive to make and serves as a means for storing adesired number of hooks 10 in proper stacked relation and forsequentially feeding such hooks into the recessed and slotted portion26, 28 of the drive plate as they are needed. The paper box 25 includesopposed generally parallel side walls 69, 70 integral with a front wall7. One of the side walls 70, in turn, merges into a back wall 72,whereas the other side wall 69 merges into another back wall 73 that isdisposed forwardly of the first back wall 72. The back walls 72, 73merge into respective inner walls 74, 57 that extend into the boxbetween the side walls 69, 70 and, in effect, serve to divide the boxinto two vertically extending portions that have a communicating passage76 at the forward portion of the box, by virtue of the fact that theinner walls 74, 75 terminate a substantial distance short of the frontwall 71 of the box.

The drapery hooks 10 can be readily stacked in the box so far described,with the pin and inner arm portions 11, 14 disposed between one sidewall 70 and the inner wall 74, the outer arm 17 being disposed in thebox between the other side wall 69 and inner wall 75, the free ends ofthe inner walls 74, 75 being adapted to engage the V-shaped portions 15,16 of the hooks to prevent any substantial movement of the latter withinthe box. The ends of the. box may be closed by an inner end closure 77integral with one of the back walls 73 adapted to be folded over thehooks to reach to the front wall 71. Another inner end closure 78 isintegral with the other back wall 72, and may be bent downwardly toterminate at the front wall 71. After these inner end closures 77, 78have been folded into place, an intermediate end closure 79, which isshaped to conform to the cross-section of the box, may then be foldedover the inner end closures, after which an outer cover 80 integral withthe side wall 70 may be folded over the intermediate end closure 79 anda flap 81 integral with this cover inserted in the box alongside theinner surface of the shorter side Wall 69. The cover 80 is shaped tocover the compartment between one side wall 70 and the inner wall 75,the balance of the cover being somewhat shorter, so as to cover thecompartment spaced between the inner wall 75 and the other side wall 69.When an end of the box has been closed, with the flap 81 inserted inplace within-the box, the box construction is held in, place,

the closing of the other end of the box, which is formed with theclosure and cover members 77 to 81 like the end disclosed in Fig. 3,will complete the box and confine a supply of stacked hooks 10 withinit.

The box 24, with a supply of hooks 10 therein, is suitably supported invertical position on the apparatus within a box holder attached to thetop plate. This box holder has a base portion 82 attached to the topplate 21 in any suitable manner, as by means of screws 83, from which aninner side wall 84 extends that has a width corresponding to the shorterside wall 69 of the box. A short back wall 85 is disposed substantiallyat right angles to the side wall 84 and is of a width corresponding tothe length of the back wall 73 of the box. A front wall 86 extends atright angles to the side wall 84 and is of a width corresponding to thefront wall 71 of the box. The support for the box also includes avertical gate wall 87 adapted to be disposed against the longer sidewall 70 of the box, this gate wall being secured to a flat horizontalportion 88 pivoted to the top of the apparatus, as by means of a pivotscrew 89. The gate 87 is swung about its pivot screw 89 to an openposition, such as shown in broken lines in Fig. l, which will allow thebox 24 of hooks to be inserted in appropriate position in the apparatus,between the back, side and front walls 85, 84, 86 of the holder,whereupon the gate 87, 88 is shifted to closed position to form anotherconfining side wall 87 securing the box of hooks in the appropriatevertical position over the opening 25 in the top plate 21. Of course,before a box of hooks is inserted in place, the inner end closures 77,78, intermediate end closures 79, and cover 80, 81 will be torn from thebottom end so that the latter is open, to allow a successive downwardfeeding of the hooks 10 into the drive plate slot end recess portions26, 28.

In the use of the apparatus described, the gauge 61 is adjusted to theappropriate position and a portion of the drape that is to have a hookinserted therewithin is placed on the top supporting plate 54, with itsend disposed against the gauge flange 65. The supporting plate 54 isthen depressing against the force of the springs 59 until the seam ofthe drape is disposed in alignment with the indicator finger 68. Theswitch starter button 49 is then manipulated, which will cause the driveplate 18 to be shifted from an initial starting position disclosed inFig. 4 to the rearward position shown in Fig. 6, the cam slot 33appropriately turning the plate at an angle to the forward edge 21a ofthe top plate, wherein it is disposed under the supply of hooks 10 inthe box 24. During such rearward movement of the plate, it covers theopening 25 in plate 21 and prevents hooks from dropping out of the box,until its slotted, recess portion 26, 28 becomes aligned with the stackof hooks. When this occurs, the lowermost hook in the box is droppedinto the slot and recess portion, which can only accommodate a singlebook. As the drive unit 40, crank 45 and connecting rod 47 continue torotate, the plate 18 will then be driven in a forward direction, thepoint 12 of the pin 11 being on the verge of being inserted into thedrape. When such position is reached, the projection 52 on the crank armengages the stop button operating arm 51, to shift the switch to acircuit opening position, to stop the drive unit, which may, if desired,have a suitable magnetic brake incorporated therein to insure a rapidstopping of the apparatus. Before the mechanism stops, the projection 52rides off the arm 51. The operator can then ascertain that the drape isin a proper position on the supporting plate 54, and that the supportingplate has been shifted vertically to the proper position with respect tothe gauge finger 68, whereupon the starting button 49 will again bedepressed, which will cause the driving mechanism to shift the plate 18in a forward direction, piercing the point 12 of the pin into the fabricof the drape at its seam and then shifting the pin 11 and the inner arm14 lengthwise along the drape,

i aszindicatedfinfFig; 8, until the cam= slot again shifts the forwardportion of-thedriveplate/in; a direction; out ward'ly'ob'tliedrape, tocause the point 12} of" the pin to again pierce the fabric of thedrape;When this hasoccurred, the switch operating member53' on the crankmember will have-engaged thestop button' operating-arm- 51, to-againstopthedrive mechanism; the partsoccupyingthe-positionshownimFig: 4'.Whenin-this position,

the'hook 104s disposed in alignment with the opening 39 in thetopplate,- permittingf the drape to; be lifted upwardly to remove thearm portions 14" to 17- of the hook from-the-drive'plate 185 Theoperator then places another'portionof'the drape on thesupporting plate54 and again pushes thestarter button 49', which will again actuate themechanism toshift the'plate to the position shown in-Fig; 6, wherein itWill'pickup: the next succeeedi'ng-hook 10, whichwill' become coupledtothe drive=plate; the* parts again coming to rest-in the position shownin Fig; 7; when the, crankarm projection 52- again actuatestheswitchstop but ton -0: After assurance that the drape-is'in' the'properposition withrespect: to-thev guide or finger 68, the starting button W-is again depressed and the hook 10 is driven.- intothe fabricof'thedrapeand along the drape, the point 12- being moved again in an outwarddirection to a slight extent to; again pierce the fabric, as' disclosedin Fig. 4. This. hook 10 canthenbe removed-from-thedriveplatethrough-theopeningfih The foregoing cycle: isthenrepeated-asoften as necessary to-insert hooks intothe-d'rapesat-the desiredlocations. The books 10-- are normally inserted at a seam ofthepleatedportion of the drape: However, it isnot desired for the pin portion 11-of the hook to be disposed within and in alignment with the line ofstitchingat the seam, since such stitching may be torn. Instead, it isdesired 'that the point--12" of the pin enter and be secured-inplace bythe fabric of the: drape itself. This is: accomplished automaticallyinthe apparatus disclosed in the drawingstby theexpedibntofincliningthesupportingplate 54 in a downward direction toward the left side-ofgtheapparatus, as disclosed in-Fi'g-. 2. The extent of inclination neednot-bevery great, and" canbe achieved simply by inclining the bracket58. through which the guide rodsSS extend, the guide rods being normalto the. bracket flanges 56', 5 7*, which willplace the supporting plate54 in thedesired inclined position.

Withthe support-ing pla-te 54- in an inclined position, the seam of thedrape placed thereupon willthenbe disposedlin an -inclined position withrespect to the-drive plate. 18 and tl'le hoolc 10 mounted therein. Thus,when the, point 12 of the pin is forced into the drape; D at the seam S,it will not travel alongthe seam, butwill be inserted into the fabricitself, inasmuch as the pin 11 is' disposedlat a slightangleto--the-seam-S, such as shown somewhat diagrammatically in: Fig; 10;plate L8. projects the pin-along the drape, it will move along thedrapery material itself, andnotalongtheseam or line of stitching S.Finally, when the point 12' of thepinis. again projected in an outwarddirection, it will be projected intothe fabric itself, since by thi timethe; point is disposed a substantia-hd-istance (whichneed actually: beonly a slight distance?) from the seam or line-of stitching, suchasdisclosed -in Figr 10'.v

It is, accordingly, apparent that an apparatus has been provided-whichis capable of automatically dispensing and inserting hooks into draperyin a highly effective mannerands at the desired locations of the'drape.A secure attachment of each hook to the drape: is insured, thepinportion ofthehook-being disposed and attached to the drapery.materialitself, and not being supported onlyby the seam of the drape.The apparatus is readilyadjustable to accommodate drapes, or-s'imila rarticles; ofi-vari'ous thicknesses-merely by-depressing the supporting.plate- 5:41 to the desired; position until the seam; S. a.t..-w.;hiclrtheshqolcisrtonbe insertediistopposite As; thedrive thehook itself; asdetermined byythe guides-on indicated 66; A: substantial supply ofhookscan be.easilyunounted v in the. paper box" on container 24, which willhold the! hooks-in a proper stacked relation, one. above another; andwhich. box.- canbev manufactured from a. single? sheet of' material;beingt formed in an easy manner without the need; for gluing, stapling,or otherwiseadheringany of the box parts: to oneianoth er.; 'l hetconfiguration of" the boxitself 'holdsthe hookportionsin proper relationto each other and confines: the hooksragainst' loss therefrom.

The inventor-claims:

1. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes-and the like: a supporbhaving-a surfaceupon. which. the drape can. beheldiwith its. plain in. afolded condition and the seam of the drape facing: rearwardly of thesupport; a.

drive member adapted: tov receive and; be coupled: to a drapery hookhaving a; pin portion, said" drive member being disposed in: aplane.generally parallel to. andxoffset from the, plane of saidsupportsurface; cam means operatively connected to, said. drive. member toguide-said drive member andshook: froma position. in which the pinportion is inclined totthe; drapelto. enablesuch portion to: be forcedby; the: dr-ivemember into the drape, saidf cam. means then: guidingsaid drive member along a path. lengthwise of'"the drape; tosubstantially. fully,

stantially fully;disposetheepinportionin'the drape; said:

calm means: shiftingtsaid :drive member in: a; direction out-; wardly ofthe, drape, after the pinportion has. been substantially. fullydisposediinthe drape, tolforce. thefpointr of the pin: portion back intothe drape.

3. In. apparatus. forinsertingrhooks in drapes, and the like: asupport:for a. drapetadrivemember adapted to receive anclbe coupled-to; adrapery hook havingapin portion; cam, means-.operatively. connectedto.said drive member toguide, said, drive member. fll'ldl hook along, apath with respect toisaid drape; and means for reciprocating: said;drive member with respect to said-cam means between a rear position,- atwhich the drive member portionf'orces, the. pin portion into the drapeto a. forward position lengthwiseofntlie, drape, said cam. meansforcingthe point of the; pin portion inan outward direction into, thedrape at; said forward'position.

4. Inapparatus; for inserting hooksindrapes and the like: a supportfor.a.drap.e; a; drive member having an opening therein toreceive adrapery hook. havinga pin portion terminating: in. pointymeans. forsupporting a:

supply of drapery hooks; cam; means operatively; con-v nected to; saidrive. member to,- guide said drive member alonga path-froma firstposition: aligned with saidsup-. portion means'to allow anhook to shiftintosaid drive. member opening, and be coupled to said drive. member, toa secondpositionat which the.- pin portion ofthe hook is inclined to thedrape; to enable, said drive member to force the point into.- the drape,along a path generally lengthwise-of the; drape. t0. athird position atwhich said pin portion .issubstantially fully disposedwithin the drapeand the, pin portion. is inclinedi'n adirection outwardly of the drape.to cause the drive member to force the. point of the pin portion backintothe drapeat said third position; and means for reciprocating saiddrivememher withrespect to said'cam means between said first 9 bershavinga front edge; a support for a drape adjacent said front edge; adrive plate between and slidable along said members, said plate havingan opening to receive a drapery hook provided with a pin portionterminating in a point, said upper member having an opening overlyingsaid plate; means for supporting a supply of drapery hooks in alignmentwith said upper member opening; means providing a slidable camconnection between said drive plate and one of said members to guidesaid plate along a path from a first position in which said plateopening is aligned with said upper member opening to allow a hook toshift into said plate opening and be coupled to said plate, to a secondposition at which the pin portion of the hook is inclined to the drapeto enthe like: spaced upper and lower guide members, one of said membershaving a front edge; a support for a drape adjacent said front edge; adrive plate between and slidable along said members, said plate havingan opening to receive a drapery hook provided with a pin portionterminating in a point; said upper member having an opening overlyingsaid plate; means for supporting a supply of drapery hooks in alignmentwith said upper member opening; said lower guide member having a camslot therein having a rear portion inclined with respect to said frontedge, an intermediate portion generally parallel to said front edge;follower means on said plate disposed in said cam slot; and means forreciprocating said plate with respect to said cam slot to cause saidplate to move along a path from a first rear position in which saidplate opening is in alignment with said upper member opening to allow ahook to shift into said plate opening and be coupled to said plate, to asecond rear position at which the pin portion of the hook is disposedadjacent said front edge and inclined to the drape to enable said plateto force the point into the drape, along a path lengthwise of said frontedge to a third position at which said pin portion is substantiallyfully disposed within the drape.

7. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: spaced upperand lower guide members, one of said members having a front edge; asupport for a drape adjacent said front edge; a drive plate between andslidable along said members, said plate having an opening to receive adrapery hook provided with a pin portion terminating in a point; saidupper member having an opening overlying said plate; means forsupporting a supply of drapery hooks in alignment with said upper memberopening; said lower guide member having a cam slot therein having a rearportion inclined with respect to said front edge, an intermediateportion generally parallel to said front edge; follower means on saidplate disposed in said cam slot; and means for reciproeating said platewith respect to said cam slot to cause said plate to move along a pathfrom a first rear position in which said plate opening is in alignmentwith said upper member opening to allow a hook to shift into said plateopening and be coupled to said plate, to a second rear position at whichthe pin portion of the hook is disposed adjacent said front edge andinclined to the drape to enable said plate to force the point into thedrape, along a path lengthwise of said frontedge to a third position atwhich said pin portion is substantially fully disposed within the drape;said upper member having an opening alignfibl? Wi h said plate Openingwhen said plate is in said third position to permit said hook to bewithdrawn from said plate.

8. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive member having an opening thereon to receive adrapery hook having a pin portion terminating in a point; means forsupporting a supply of drapery hooks; cam means operatively connected tosaid drive member to guide said drive member along a path from a firstposition aligned with said supporting means to allow a hook to shiftinto said drive member opening and 'be coupled to said drive member, toa second position at which the pin portion of the hook is inclined tothe drape to enable said drive member to force the point into the drape,along a path generally lengthwise of the drape to a third position atwhich said pin portion is substantially fully disposed within the drapeand the pin portion is inclined in a direction outwardly of the drape tocause the drive member to force the point of the pin portionback'intothe drape at said third position; means for reciprocating said drivemember with respect to said cam means between said first and thirdpositions; and means for automatically stopping said drive member atsaid second position and third position.

9. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: spaced upperand lower guide members, one of said members having a front edge; asupport for a drape adjacent said front edge; a drive plate between andslidable along said members, said plate having an opening to receive adrapery hook provided with a pin portion terminating in a point; saidupper member having an opening overlying said plate; means forsupporting a supply of drapery hooks in alignment with said upper memberopening; said lower guide member having a cam slot therein having a rearportion inclined with respect to said front edge, an intermediateportion generally parallel to said front edge; follower means on saidplate disposed in said cam slot; means for reciprocating said plate withrespect to said cam slot to cause said plate to move along a path from afirst rear position in which said plate opening is a in alignment withsaid upper member opening to allow a hook to shift into said plateopening and be coupled to said plate, to a second rear position at whichthe pin portion of the hook is disposed adjacent said front edge andinclined to the drape to enable said plate to force the point into thedrape, along a path lengthwise of said front edge to a third position atwhich said pin portion is substantially disposed within the drape; andmeans for automatically stopping said plate at said second positionandthird position.

10. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive member adapted to receive and be coupled to adrapery hook having a pin portion; carn means operatively connected tosaid drive member to guide said drive member and hook from a position inwhich the pin portion is inclined to the drape to enable such portion tobe forced by the drive member into the drape, said cam means thenguiding said drive member along a path lengthwise of the drape tosubstantially fully dispose the pin portion in the drape; and springmeans mounting said support for yieldable vertical adjustment withrespect to said drive member to enable a drape on said support to beforced thereagainst in order to shift the drape to a position in which adrape seam is aligned with the pin portion of the drapery hook.

11. An apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive member adapted to receive and be coupled to adrapery hook having a pin portion; cam means operatively connected tosaid drive member to guide said drive member and hook from a position inwhich the pin portion is inclined to the drape to enable such portion tobe forced by the drive member into the drape, said cam means thenguiding said drive member along a path lengthwise of the drape tosubstantially fully dispose the pin portion in the drape; and meansmounting said support in a plane inclined to theplanes ll ofmovement ofsaid: drive member, whereby said'supa port holds the drape with itsseam. lying in a plane inclined to the plane of the drapery hook when;coupled to the drive member.

12. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and! the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive. memberadapted to receive and be coupled toadrapery hook having a-pin portion; cam means operatively connected: tosaid drive member to guide said drive member and: hook from. a. positionin which the pin portion is inclined to the drape to enable suchportionto: be, forced by. the. drive member into the drape, said cam means thenguiding. said drive member along a path lengthwise of the drape to sub-.stantially fully dispose the pin portion. in the drape; means mountingsaid support in a plane inclined to the plane of movement of said drivemember, whereby said support holds the drape withits seam lying in aplane inclined to the plane of the draperyhook when coupled to the drivemember; and: means for shifting said. supporttransversely with respectto the plane ofmovement of said drive member.

13. In apparatus forinserting hooks in drapes and: the like: spacedupperand lower guide members, one of said members having a front edge; asupport for a drape adjacent said: frontedge; a drive plate betweenandslidable along said: members, said plate having an opening to receivea drapery hook provided withv a pin portion termimating in apoint; saidupper member havingan. opening overlying said plate; means forsupporting a supply. of drapery hooks in alignment with said uppermember opening; said lower guide member having a cam slot therein havinga rear portion inclined with r espect'to said front edge, anintermediate portion generally parallel to said front edge; followermeans on said plate disposed in said cam slot; means for reciprocatingsaid plate with respect to said cam slot to cause said plate tomovealong apath from a first rearposition in which said plate opening isin alignment with said upper member opening to allow a hook to shiftinto said plate opening and becoupled to saidplate, to-a secondrear'position at which the pin portion of the hook is disposed adjacentsaid front edge and inclined to the drape to enable said platetoforcethe point into the drape, along a path lengthwise ofsaid front edgeto a third position atwhich said pinportion is substantially fullydisposed within thedrape; and means mounting said support fordisposition in a plane inclined with respect to the plane of movement ofsaidplate, whereby said support holds the drape with itsseam lying in aplane inclined to the plane of the drapery hook when coupled to theplate.

14. In apparatus for inserting-hooks in drapes and: thelike:spacedupper. and; lower guide members, one ofsaid members havingafrontedge; a support for a-drape adjacent said front edge; a driveplate between an d= slidable alongsaidmembers, saidplate-having anopening to receive a drapery hook provided with a pin portionterminating in a point;-said upper member having an openingoverlyingsaid plate; means; for supporting a supply of drapery hooks inalignmentwithsaid upper member opening; said'lower guide-memberhaving-acam slot therein having a rear-portion inclined with respect tosaidfront edge, an intermediate portion generally parallelto said frontedge; followermeans on said plate disposed-in said cam slot; means forreciprocating said plate with respect to saidcam slot to cause saidplate to move along a path from a first rear position in which saidplate opening is in alignment with said upper member opening to allow ahook to shift into said plate opening and'be coupled to said plate, toasecond rear position at which the pin portion of the hookis disposedadjacent said front edge and inclined to the drapeto enable. said-splateto-forcethe point into thedrape, along a path lengthwise. of-said-zfront edge to a. third position at which said pin portion: issubstantially: fully disposed within..- thedrape; meansgmounting saidsupporttor disposition ina-plane; in

12 clined with respect to the plane ofmovement of saidplate, wherebysaid support holds the drape with its seam lying in a plane inclined tothe plane ofthe drapery hook when coupled to the plate; and means foradjusting the verticalposition of said support with' respect to saidplate.

15 In apparatus forinserting' hooks in drapes and the like: spaced upperand lower guide members, one of said members having a front edge; asupport for a drape adjacent said front edge; a drive plate between and.slidable'along said members, said plate having an opening toreceive adrapery hook provided with a pin portion terminating in a point; saidupper member having an opening overlying said plate; means forsupporting a supply of drapery hooks in alignment with said uppermem-ber'opening; said lower guide member having a cam slot thereinhaving a rear portion inclined with respect to said front edge, anintermediate portion generally parallel to said front edge; followermeans on said plate disposed in said cam slot; means for reciprocatingsaidj plate with respect to said camslot to cause said plate to movealong a pathfrom a first rear position in which said plate opening is inalignment withsaid upper member opening to allow a hook to shift intosaid plate opening and be-coupled to said plate, to a second rearposition at which the pin portion of the hook is disposedadjacent saidfront edge and inclined to the drape to enable saidplateto-forcethepointinto the drape, along a path length wise of said: front edge to athird position at which said pinportion is substantially fully disposedwithin the drape; means, mounting said support for disposition in aplane inclined with respect to the plane of movement of saidplatenwherebysaidsupport holds the drape with its seamlyinginaplaneinclined tothe plane of the drapery hook whencoupled to theplate; meansfor adjusting the vertical position of saidsupport withrespect to said plate; and meansforautomatically stopping said plate atsaid second position and third position.

16. In apparatus forinserting hooks in drapes and the like; adrivemember adapted to receive and be coupled to a drapery hook havingapin portion; a support having a substantially plane surface generallyparallel to the plane of. movement of said drive member and upon whichthe drape can be held with its plait in a folded condition and; the seamof the drape facing towardthe drive member;.;means for adjusting saidsupport to place said surface in an. offset relation to theplane ofmovement of said drive memberand'theseam of the drape in substantialalignment with the plane of movement of said drive memberpcammeansoperativelyconnected to said drive memberto guide-said: drivemember and hook from a positioninwhich the pin-portion-isinclined to thedrape to enablersuch: portionto beforced by thedrive memberinto-thedrape: Seam, said cam meansthen guiding said drive member: alonga--path lengthwise-of the drape to substantially fully: dispose, thepint portion in the-drape.

17; Int apparatus for inserting hooksin drapes andthelike:,a.substantiallghorizontallyl disposed drive membe; adnpted to, receive;and; be coupled .to a: drapery. hook haying a, portion; a, support;having a; substantially orizontall yri re non hirh. hadrape anhe he d wih.

stn r t ar sldcdm i onia d! he se m e pe;

cti ev oward. he, ive mem er, ea s o vertically,

adj ing sai dsnpport to placeitsjorizontal.surface in. a plang ielewheho iz ma jplaneofm vem of dv drive member andthe seam ofjthe drapeinsubstantial alignment; with the horizontal plane. of movement of saiddrive member; cam means operatively connected tc-said-drive-member toguide saiddrive member and hook from a-positionin-whichthe pin portionis inclined to the drape to enable-such portion to be forced by thedrive member into the drapeseam, saidcam means'then guiding; said drivemember along a path lengthwiseof the drape toisubstantially fullydispose-the pin portion in thedrape;

. 183. 111 apparatus for insert-ing hooks in drapes and 7 the likeuppena-nd, lower generallyrhorizontallydisposcd guide members, one ofsaid members having a front edge; a generally horizontally disposedsupport for a drape adjacent said front edge; a drive plate between andslidable along said members, said plate having an opening to receive adrapery hook provided with a pin portion terminating in a point, saidupper member having an opening overlying said plate; means forsupporting a vertical stack of drapery hooks above and in alignment withsaid upper member opening; means providing a slidable cam connectionbetween said drive plate and one of said members to guide said platealong a path from a first position in which said plate opening isaligned with said upper member opening to allow a hook from the stack todrop into said plate opening and be coupled to said plate, to a secondposition at which the pin portion of the hook is inclined to the drapeto enable said plate to force the point into the drape, along a pathlengthwise of said front edge to a third position at which said pinportion is substantially fully disposed within the drape; and means forreciprocating said plate along said guide members between said first andthird positions.

19. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive member having an opening thereon to receive adrapery hook having a pin portion terminating in a point; means forsupporting a supply of drapery hooks; cam means operatively connected tosaid drive member to guide said drive member along a path from a firstposition aligned with said supporting means to allow a hook to shiftinto said drive member opening and be coupled to said drive member, to asecond position at which the pin portion of the hook is inclined to thedrape to enable said drive member to force the point into the drape,along a path generally lengthwise of the drape to a third position atwhich said pin portion is substantially fully disposed within the drape,means for reciprocating said drive member with respect to said cam meansbetween said first and third positions; and means for automaticallystopping said drive member at said second position.

20. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a supportfor a drape; a drive member adapted to receive and be coupled to adrapery hook having a pin portion; cam means operatively connected tosaid drive member to guide said drive member and hook from a position inwhich the pin portion is inclined to the drape to enable such portion tobe forced by the drive member into the drape, said cam means thenguiding said drive member along a path lengthwise of the drape tosubstantially fully dispose the pin portion in the drape; and means forpositioning a drape on said support with the drape seam lying in a planeinclined to the plane of movement of said drive member and of thedrapery hook coupled thereto and with a portion of the seam aligned withthe pin portion of the drapery hook.

21. In apparatus for inserting hooks in drapes and the like: a generallyhorizontally disposed support for a drape; a generally horizontallyarranged drive member adapted to receive and be coupled to a draperyhook havink a pin portion; cam means operatively connected to said drivemember to guide said drive member and hook from a position in which thepin portion is inclined to the drape to enable such portion to be forcedby the drive member into the drape, said cam means then guiding saiddrive member along a path lengthwise of the drape to substantially fullydispose the pin portion in the drape; means for positioning a drape onsaid support with the drape seam lying in a plane inclined to thegenerally horizontal plane of movement of said drive member and of thedrapery hook coupled thereto and with a portion of the seam aligned withthe pin portion of the drapery hook; and means for vertically shiftingsaid support with respect to the generally horizontal plane of movementof said drive member to align the drapery seam with the pin portion ofthe drapery hook.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,692,382 Raphael Oct. 26, 1954

